I'm still trying to figure out if I have hypermobility. I'm 27 and I can't bend my joints (except for my neck and shoulders) much further than average. (Though my soft--not velvety--skin streches further than most people's). My problem isn't usually pain but a sense of misallignment. I constantly feel the need to crack my joints (neck, elbows, back, shoulders, etc) in order put my self back in allignment. Sometimes my neck can't seem to support my head. And my joints (especially my neck) crack just by moving them. My rheumatologist thinks these problems may be related to an unstable collar bone (due to injury and hyper- mobility combo). My ortho doctor says my curved spine may be too blame. However, untreated scoliosis is usually associated with lower back pain, which I don't have. Are there skeletal disorders that cause one to fall out of allignment without pain? The neck and shoulder MRI was inconclusive except for some signs of arthritis in my neck (probably a consequence of years of cracking). My late grandfather and I both had(ve) a curved back, inwardly bent feet, and uneven shoulders. Please help as I'm hopelessly confused and bitterly sick of clueless doctors. Thanks for listening.

Dr. Greg is in the house !!!! I'll do my best here, but please take in mind that I'm only 19, and have had symptoms of HMS/EDS for about 4 years. Okay, the cracking and clikcing is a key clue to "unstable" joints. How unstable they are? It could vary. My older brother doesn't have EDS but has some joints crack occasionally, no pain, and is strong as hell. If they crack a lot on their own. most doctors will dismiss it. Not ALL of my joints are visibley hypermobile because of my muscle strength. For instance, my knees are visible hyperextendable, but my elbows appear to be normal, but both constantly crack and hurt some of the time. It definitely sounds like you have some level of hypermobility, maybe even on the lower "normal" side for laxity of ligaments. So, there you have my take. Oh yeah, in my opinion, rheumatologists tend to suck and don't have a clue when it comes to hypermobility. Find a specialist who does prolotherapy, even if you don't want prolo treatments, a doctor who does prolo tends to have a greater knowledge of hypermobile joints. Good luck !

Thanks very much, "Dr. Greg", for your help. I just saw a doctor today, who reported, unbeknownst to me that my range of motion IS consistent hypermobility. My elbows bend back 10-15 degrees more than normal, while my left thumb--but not my right--can come within an inch of touching my wrist. I was suspecting that I did have hypermobility because no one on this forum seems to complain of constant misallignment or compression in the joints--necessitating a cracking response. Is there anyone out there who shares my symptoms? Thanks again.

My main concern is instability and the feeling that if I move wrong, I'll sublux or dislocate something, then that joint will be sore for several days.

I do pop and crack many joints to regain a full range of motion. When I feel my knee caps sliding out of place, I push my knee caps back into the groove and flex my leg for a while until my knee cap seems to stay put for a while. (I've also found that I subconsciously and unconsciously rub my knees now.)

I had one knee brace that would align my knee cap for me, but it also turned my lower leg blue with the tightness. I would love to have something keep my knees stable -- that's my main concern.

I thought my neck was one of my "normal" joints. My most recent/current GP said to avoid roller coasters and amusement park rides because of the instability of my neck joints, which rarely crack or slide around now. (cracked a lot when marching with bari or tenor saxes for 6 years) He also said to adjust the height of car head rests to guard against whiplash, which could be worse for those with unstable joints.

I found that a knee immobilizer takes stress off my knee, especially after a dislocation. Have you tried any neck supports to relieve the pressure, even for a while?

I'm sorry if what I said waas confusing. All of my joints except for my elbows are VISIBLEY hypermobile, but my elbow still hurt in the joint and from tendonitis. All of my joints crack and click also, during "realignment" or whatever it's called. Sue, you definitely should avoid rollercoasters. I've had whiplash for a full year now and despite all my efforts (PT, chirporactic, acupuncture, tissue massge, medications)m the pain still persists. This is no doubt the worst pain I've ever had associated with my hypermobility, except for when I dislocated my shoulder. This is the worst chronic pain though, as I just discovered from a great doctor one month ago that not only did I tear ligaments in my neck during my accident, but also tore my right trapezius off of my skull !!! My message is simple: Do whatever you can tto protect your neck. I've had chronic neck and back pain now, and my neck has been a lot more crippling. So take care of your neck everyone, or else you'll end up needing prolotherapy like me. Good luck

Everybody tells me I act like I'm a lot older! Probably cuz of the "adult" situations I've had like the surgery on my shoulder and all when I was 15. I think most prolo doctors are D.O. (Osteopaths). Before I settled on my curretn doctor, I went to a so-called "Spinal specialist" who said that he did prolotherapy, but what he actually wanted to do was some variation of prolo which I knew would help me (he only wanted to give me three shots into one segment of my neck). This "specialist" was an MD called a physiatrist. I am aware that there are some good MD's that do it and also a few chirpractors (DC's) who do it also. I guess you kind of have to shop around. Oh yeah...I had my second prolo treatment on my neck yesterday, and well, the first one didn't hurt, but this one hurt a lot! It was bearable, but I'm a pretty tough guy I've been told. It will be worth it if it works. Good luck !!

what is the reason my joints crack when I lay down or twist a certain way. Is there any help for me or am I doom to hear this till I die. I have taken Cod Liver oil pills still cracking and popping sounds dont stop when I walk